State Rep. O'Connell looks to reform EBT identity verification

The legislation is meant to prevent fraudulent use of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits — formerly known as food stamps — and other benefits that are deposited into electronic benefit transfer accounts. EBT cards, where accepted, can be used much like an ATM or debit card.

Rep. Shaunna O’Connell, R-Taunton, announced she will be filing legislation to strengthen identity verification for EBT benefits.

The legislation is meant to prevent fraudulent use of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits — formerly known as food stamps — and other benefits that are deposited into electronic benefit transfer accounts. EBT cards, where accepted, can be used much like an ATM or debit card.

The legislation would not change the eligibility requirements for assistance but will alter the process for verifying applications, according to O’Connell.

“As someone who grew up in low-income housing, I truly understand the needs of families who are facing difficult times,” O’Connell said in a statement. “Unfortunately, there are other people who try to scam the system for financial gain. My legislation will be a new verification process to ensure only the truly needed are getting benefits.”

Under O’Connell’s Identity Verification Systems Act, the Department of Transitional Assistance — which administers SNAP and other benefits — would be required to institute a computer verification process that cross-checks an application against a number of databases.

Those databases are maintained by government agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Employment Security, Social Security Administration, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation and others.

O’Connell said the legislation is meant to verify a person’s identity and assets before they are eligible to receive benefits, noting that the system currently allows self-declaration verification.

“We should be taking full advantage of the technology available to us,” she said in an email.

O’Connell also said the state can enter into a contract with a vendor for this program where the vendor gets paid only if the state realizes savings. Therefore, this program will not cost the state any additional money, she said.

Under the legislation, verification to receive benefits would be required annually.

“Nowadays benefits are directed deposited on to EBT cards. Recipients are not required to see a case worker or show up at an office to collect benefits, so I don’t believe it to be an imposition to require verification once per year,” O’Connell said in a statement.

In 2012, O’Connell helped spearhead EBT reforms to restrict their use for the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, tattoos and jewelry; to pay bail and other court fees and fines; and at casinos, nail salons and strip clubs.

The reforms were vetoed by Gov. Deval Patrick, but the veto was overridden by the legislature. Patrick eventually signed the reforms, although he said his administration would not enforce the ban on purchasing items such as alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets and tattoos, calling it unfeasible.